Two dead, 5 missing, 48 homeless, in San Felipe Fire

TWO PEOPLE are dead and a search for five missing people continues after a devastating fire in San Felipe on Sunday night, March 30.

48 families are homeless after the blaze gutted the four story Terraza-9 building, located between 9th and 11th streets.

Evangelista Romero de Flores, 64, died after trying to escape the fire by jumping out of a second-floor window. Her husband, Héctor Campos, said his 27-year-old daughter also died in the fire say radio reports.
Local residents in Casco Viejo rallied round to provide support for the homeless and bereaved families, and a collecting depot was set up at the Tantalo restaurant for food and clothing donations.
Those missing were listed as Doris Supo and her daughter Karina, 14; Baudilia Gondola, 75, and her son Ricardo Sosa, 48: and Abraham González, 8.
Over 80 firefighters were called to the blaze, from stations across the city and Panama Pacifico as well as pólice and officials from the civil defense agency Sinaproc and ambulance and para-medic crews
The fire was reported at 8:55 p.m. and finally brought under control at 12:50 a.m. on Monday. The first crews on the scene were hampered by lack of water pressure said early reports.
Panama Fire Chief Pablo Tuñon said the search for victims resumed at 7 a.mon Monday
Housing officials said arrangements for the homeless families are being made. Panama City Mayor Roxana Méndez said that food and clothing will be provided to the victims.